Daily Devotional

For Men

Daily Devotional for Saturday September 08, 2018

Scripture:

Psalms 43:5 – “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” (NASB)

Observation:

Sure I have bad days. I was asked recently if I am always up and positive. I had to be honest with myself and with my answer. Sure I have bad days. Like the time our fire engine showed up with no water in the tank to put out a car fire or the time I made a bad choice and ended up in a place I shouldn't have been. There are even days when I feel as if I don't make a difference. Like today's verse shares, "Why are you in despair, O my soul?" Each of us can have those times in our life when we just seem to have a bad day when deep within in us we hurt. The rest of the verse shares where we can turn during those times, “Hope in God, the help of my countenance!" If we turn our focus on Him rather than ourselves, our disappointment will go from pain to praise. We can have bad days, but it's what we do during those bad days and who we turn to when our soul is in despair that will make the difference. I would rather choose to focus on God and praise Him through the difficulties than focus on myself and end up feeling more miserable. It always comes down to choice: Him or us? Choose wisely my friends!

Application:

Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love.

Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.